Luciano Valente Shines at Feyenoord Ahead of Champions League Clash with Como

Luciano Valente is finding a true sense of home at Feyenoord, comparing the current atmosphere within the squad to his former days at FC Groningen, according to reporting by NOS. The 23-year-old midfielder has stepped into a key role, despite missing out on a recent selection for the Netherlands national team.

Valente Shifts from Midfield to the Left Wing

Having started the current campaign operating primarily as a central midfield duo alongside Gjivai Zechiël, Valente has more recently shifted to a left-wing position. The positional adjustment has expanded his influence on the pitch, allowing him to drift into central areas where defensive pressure is less intense. “I play on the left wing, but I still arrive in zones in the midfield. I’m thoroughly enjoying myself. You are marked a little less there than in midfield,” Valente told NOS.

That freedom has translated directly into his output. Valente has already scored four goals this season, matching his total output across his previous two campaigns combined. Data highlighted by NOS show that he is creating more chances, attempting more shots on target, and penetrating the opponent’s penalty area with greater frequency than before.

One particular moment that drew attention was his incisive through-ball to Givairo Read during a recent Eredivisie fixture against AZ. Despite the sequence not ending in a goal, Valente re-watched the clip afterward, noting to NOS, “Nice little ball. I like giving them so much and we train on that a lot. Read realized he had to start running, but my pass arrived a bit too hard.”

Italian Media Attention Ahead of Como Clash

Valente’s performances have also drawn notice in Italy, where sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport published a prominent profile on the midfielder ahead of Feyenoord’s UEFA Champions League fixture against Italian club Como 1907. Valente, whose father is of Italian descent and supports Lazio, acknowledged the unique personal significance of facing an Italian side on the continental stage.

“I think it’s really great that we are playing against an Italian club. It’s especially nice to experience it at the highest level. I’m looking forward to it,” Valente said. He added an assessment of their upcoming opponents to NOS: “Como is a team that is very organized, with a lot of discipline. It’s really a collective, with a few exceptional players. It’s going to be a nice match.”

Contrast with Last Season’s Turmoil

The positive atmosphere currently surrounding the club marks a stark contrast to the conclusion of the previous season, a period defined by frustration and tension that eventually led to the departure of Robin van Persie. Valente noted that the psychological weight from that turbulent period carried over into matches, making the game feel heavier than usual.

“That was also in the mental part last year. At a certain point, football is more than just the game itself. Now the atmosphere is so positive, then it’s logical that running comes easier,” Valente explained to NOS. “But the trick is to maintain that, because a period will surely come when things are a bit less.”

That positive dynamic has fostered a tight-knit culture within the squad, according to the player. Even during early-season dropped points, the team shared a unified objective. Valente’s family has also noticed the shift from afar, remarking that the environment mirrors the close community feel he experienced during his time in Groningen. “Feyenoord is a super big club, but that feeling of home is in small things, like a dinner or a game. In any case, it’s a good sign that I want to be at the club for a long time,” Valente said.

Feyenoord currently sits atop the Eredivisie standings, though the club occupies the lower rungs of the UEFA Champions League table following a heavy 5-1 defeat away to FC Barcelona. Nevertheless, Valente noted that the performance in Camp Nou provided important tactical insights and a moral boost that the squad subsequently translated into wide-margin victories in domestic league play.

Upcoming Champions League Fixture

Feyenoord returns to European competition to face Como 1907 with kickoff scheduled for 18.45 uur. The match is broadcast live via NPO Radio 1 and the official match liveblog maintained by NOS.